Parliament maintains legal protection for Good Samaritans

State Parliament has voted overwhelmingly tonight to maintain the legal protection for Good Samaritans and the people they help.

Attorney-General Kerry Shine said most Queenslanders were community-minded and they were willing to help fellow citizens needing assistance.

“There is already legal protection for Good Samaritans in Queensland in common law,” Mr Shine said.

“Under common law, a Good Samaritan is required to exercise care and skill expected of a person in the same situation with the same skills.”

“The common law protection is commonsense. The Parliament has endorsed the current legal protection.”

Mr Shine said no Good Samaritan has been sued in Australia for helping someone else.

“There is no evidence in Queensland that a fear of litigation has prevented people from providing assistance to anyone else in an emergency situation,” Mr Shine said.

4 September 2007
Media contact: Kirby Anderson 0418 197 350
kirby.anderson@ministerial.qld.gov.au